POS0782-PARE MANAGING PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: PATIENTS’ VIEWS AND ATTITUDES TO USING AN ONLINE WELLNESS PROGRAM
Authors: W. B. Nowell, A. Degrassi, S. Venkatachalam, K. Gavigan, A. Krivohlavek, E. Rivera, M. E. Husni
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) confront decisions about how to optimize treatment of their chronic disease including patient physician interaction and modifying their own lifestyle choices that may impact their disease outcomes. <h3>Objectives</h3> To examine PsA patients' views and attitudes of managing their disease using a guided online wellness program to address lifestyle behaviors such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management. <h3>Methods</h3> A cross-sectional online survey was developed with patient and clinician input and administered to US adults with a self-reported diagnosis of PsA in the ArthritisPower registry. Survey questions assessed participant (pt) experience with, and motivations to participate in, an online wellness program through various mechanisms to address nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management. E-coaching is a validated tool using email coaching as an individualized tailored communication on wellness strategies to improve lifestyle behaviors. <h3>Results</h3> 312 pts completed the survey, of whom 83.0% were female, 91.0% white, mean age 57.1 (SD 11.4) years, and 10.0 (SD 10.2) years since PsA diagnosis. Most pts (93.6%) were diagnosed by a rheumatologist for their PsA. Over 90% of pts reported being 'somewhat likely' or 'very likely' to interact with an online coach at least twice a week or spend one to two hours a week learning about nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management (90.4% and 92.6%, respectively) if they had the opportunity to take part in a wellness program. However, only 8.7% of pts are currently participating in a structured wellness program. Feeling better was the top motivator for participating in a wellness program (179, 57.4%) followed by the want to improve PsA symptoms (145, 46.5%). About a third of pts would prefer to participate in a wellness program by interacting with an online trained professional (34.0%), followed by attending an online course (16.4%) and reading written material (16.0%) (Table 1). In reporting barriers to wellness changes, cost and not having the energy to make changes were selected by about half of pts (both 47.1%) (Figure 1). Over one-tenth (13.1%) of pts reported having no barriers to participation in wellness programs. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The overwhelming majority of patients report willingness to be involved in a wellness program. Feeling better is a top motivator, while cost and lack of energy to make changes were top barriers to adopting wellness behaviors. Our study results support the use of guided online participation in wellness programs over alternatives such as online courses and written materials. Further studies are needed to elucidate how e-coaching wellness platforms may improve and sustain lifestyle changes in PsA patients. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> Janssen provided funding support for this project. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> W. Benjamin Nowell Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Janssen and Scipher Medicine, Angela Degrassi: None declared, Shilpa Venkatachalam: None declared, Kelly Gavigan: None declared, Ashley Krivohlavek: None declared, Esteban Rivera: None declared, M Elaine Husni: None declared.